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BY DAVID WALSH
e Defense Department has been a pro-
ponent of electronic learning for more than
a decade, and it now relies heavily on its
capabilities.
Today s training arsenal includes online
educational tools for building and hon-
ing a vast, growing range of skill sets and
occupational niches. Modalities exist for
pure research, study and analysis; enabling
virtual-reality game-style exercises; or run-
ning modeling and simulation applications.
Employable service-wide and shared
across branches and time zones, these
tools enable personnel to quickly prepare
for operational exigencies. is is only one
example, since 2002 all individuals de-
ployed---soldiers, defense contractors and
their families---have been required to take
annual online anti-terrorism classes.
VIRTUAL WORLDS
Among the most innovative e-learning pro-
grams are those developed and managed
by the Army s Program Executive O ce-
Simulation, Training and Instrumentation
(PEO-STRI).
One of these programs is the wearable,
"fully immersive" Dismounted Soldier
Training System (DSTS) made by Intelli-
gent Decisions. e project s director, John
Matthews, said that a menu of combat-de-
rived scenarios can be adjusted for degrees
of di culty and complexity.
e interactive tool is pegged to a
traditional nine-member Army squad.
DSTS incorporates nine "virtual soldier
manned modules," and various worksta-
tions---typically a multifunction type,
one for command, and another for a er-
action assessment.
Embedded sensors track body positions
and map them precisely to di erent virtual
mission environments. Each student-user
is assigned a simulated 10-foot by 10-foot
training area to stand, operate and interact
in, said Matthews.
Computer monitors enable visitors to
share participants experiences in real-time.
Soldiers movements are transferred to
their avatars within the game engine, a cut-
ting-edge 3D processor. e ensemble they
wear includes a helmet-mounted display
(HMD) with head tracker, stereo speaker
and boom mic for voice and radio comms.
Lightweight backpacks with CPUs process
displays of 3D virtual environments within
the HMD.
Users can pivot 360 degrees, lean under
obstacles and communicate with team
members---all in a remarkably realistic
setting.
PC Gamer magazine dubs DSTS "the
greatest game you ll never play."
Alion Science and Technology also is
involved in defense modeling and simula-
tion training. Michael White is program
manager of the rm s virtual Damage
Control Trainer (DCT), which incorpo-
rates an open-source Delta 3D gaming en-
gine. Since its introduction two years ago,
100,000-plus sailors have taken the manda-
tory one-hour course.
"We developed this so that recruits [can]
practice basic seamanship, communica-
tions, situational awareness, decision-mak-
ing [and virtual-navigation] skills," White
said. And using the trainer results in an
error rate 50 percent lower than tradition
schooling.
e O ce of Naval Research helped
fund the multimillion-dollar training
scheme, developed with Raytheon BBN
Technologies. Involved is a fairly standard
workstation with at-screen CRT screen
and joystick. e simplest of several appli-
cations is "getting to know your ship." It lets
students "practice how to read the bull s-
eyes that let them know [their positions]
and help them transit from one space to
another," White said. e trainer, although
"rudimentary," uses humanlike avatars to
26 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 | DefenseSystems.com
DEFENSEIT
MILITARY ONLINE TRAINING
Online educational tools prepare
specialists for deployment
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta uses a soldier's helmet-mounted display, which is
tethered to his backpack, to experience Intelligent Decisions' Dismounted Soldier
Training System. The soldiers of the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team demonstrated the
DSTS at the Clarke Simulation Center during the secretary's visit to Fort Benning, Ga.